My Best Reference

October 10, 2019

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18

If you were seeking a job you really wanted and needed, the perfect job for you, the right career path, what three references would you list? Who would be the people you would want to be contacted to share their honest opinion of you and your capabilities? Why would you choose them? What would you hope would be their input?

You know how it works. You get interviewed for a job, and the interviewer is polite and engaged. They ask you about your skills, your strengths, and why you believe you would be an asset to the company. You have an opportunity to be your own public relations person and share every good thing. But that’s not where it ends. No matter how many good things you tell your prospective employer about yourself, if they are professional and wise, they will check your references. Your word about yourself is not enough. 

Paul is speaking to that kind of reality when he says that our witness about ourselves is not enough. We can brag and give every conceivable explanation, excuse, and commendation about ourselves and our rightness before God. But our word for ourselves is not enough. Our spiritual resume is not enough. It is the faithful Lord whose word matters. What does He have to say about us?

We can think we have it all together. That kind of pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people. We are not to boast about ourselves and our ability to “make things happen.” What we say about ourselves means nothing in God’s work. It is what God says about us that makes the difference.

In Revelation 2, Jesus, the Lord of the church, is talking to one of the churches. He applauds them for numerous great qualities, and then He says, “But there’s this one thing I can’t commend—you have lost your first love and passion for me.” 

  • Imagine Jesus evaluating your life. What would He applaud or commend? What is the “one thing” He might say He can’t applaud?
  • What will you do about it? When?